Pig adipose tissue contains multipotential stem cells with neural crest stem cells features

Mammalian adipose tissue has a unique developmental origin, including mesoderm and neural crest, and contains different types of adult stem cells. In this study, porcine subdermal adipose tissue was isolated in suitable culture medium to obtain stem cell population in vitro. Using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, cell differentiation and neurosphere formation techniques, we found that the isolated cells had the characteristics of neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) with high expression of KLF4, SOX10, SOX2, OCT4, Nestin, NANOG and cMyc, and were able to form neurospheres. These cells have a high differentiation potential and are able to differentiate into multilineage cells including adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. This study lays a foundation for the development of new cell therapies and provides a basis for the establishment of cell models for a variety of diseases.